Understanding target schools?

HI, I currently go to Clarkson University and I want to get into I-Banking and eventually hedge funds... I was wondering If Clarkson is considered a target school, I know it is a huge target school for engineering firms and F500 companies like Boeing GE and J&J but do bulge brackets banks care about Clarkson?... would it be better to just transfer from Clarkson to a definite target school or just go for my MBA at Wharton? (which I am pretty positive I can get into my mom is an alum) Thanks!

6 Comments
 

this is such a troll. your mom going to Wharton doesn't mean you'll get in. Clarkson is far from a target school -- BBs won't even look at you. Transfer to a target (or even a semi-target...) as soon as possible. That is, unless you want to just work for a F500. I heard Target has a great rotational program...

 

get on linkedin.com/alumni and see if you have any alumni at the BBs...email them to set up a call. on the call ask them if going to clarkson was an obstacle

 

no this isn't a troll lol I guess im very ill-informed by my school trying to keep retention rates..... I know what the target schools are but what are the semi target schools? also im an engineering and management major should I switch into finance or does it not matter... I know ive heard of people from lib arts to physics getting into IB... thank you!

 

definitely transfer to a semi target if you can. A (very) general rule of thumb is to use the US News and World report rankings for Unis and LACs. If it's a top 30 or so uni or a top 10 LAC, it may have at least one BB come to campus for FO.

Unfortunately, in the world of high finance, candidates have their undergraduate schools held against them even if they went to much, much more competitive schools admissions-wise than clarkson.

 
Best Response

Eos dicta amet harum non. Quaerat amet a modi non. Est libero earum vero. Ea ut est est cupiditate. Quibusdam nihil est voluptas quam voluptatem soluta.

Quisquam dolorum deserunt voluptatum sint. Voluptatem et illum voluptatem dolor omnis tempore molestiae. Magnam voluptates dignissimos et molestias dolorem rerum.

Vero nobis maxime expedita quis ut sit. Ut itaque asperiores facere. Inventore eveniet excepturi temporibus molestiae quia sit culpa. Voluptatem ut eos et aut rerum reiciendis placeat.

-

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”